Harlequins 30 Leicester 23: Harle-Kings are club back on top after series of scandals

Once Harlequins had deservedly claimed the title they craved, to confirm the renaissance of the famous London club, they were adamant that the success was merely the beginning.

But for many of the heroes, there was immediate, profound, personal significance.

Among the players who crossed the A316 from The Stoop to complete their quest after claiming top spot in the Aviva Premiership table, there were several who savoured this triumph because of the context which made it all the more special.

Among the Quins kingpins were plenty of men who had come a long way to make this happen.

Take Danny Care, the England scrum-half, who lost his place in the national squad following a series of alcohol-related indiscretions.

His club - led by director of rugby Conor O'Shea - had stood firmly behind him as he tackled his problems and he had spoken of wanting to repay that support.

He did so in spades on Saturday by running Leicester ragged at Twickenham with trademark, impish urgency.

'It's an unbelievable feeling,' said the 25- year-old, who will go to South Africa this week believing he can reclaim his lost Test place on the back of this performance.

'There was a time when I wasn't enjoying my rugby during this season, but the last few months it has been completely different. To win the Premiership is a dream come true - it's the best feeling I have ever had as a rugby player.

'All the guys picked me up. Conor has been like a father-figure to me, John Kingston (Quins' head coach) the same, and my family have been absolutely brilliant. This is for everyone who has stood by me. Conor has talked about building a legacy, and it has started.'

Victory moment: Harlequins hail a first title in the club's 146-year history

D-Day for Manu

Manu Tuilagi (right) will find out on Monday if he has been cited for a dangerous tackle on Danny Care.

Any ban could cost the England and Leicester centre selection for England's tour to South Africa.

Toby Flood is also a major doubt after withdrawing from the final.

The champions were superbly led, driven and inspired by their colossal captain, Chris Robshaw.

The England skipper delivered a herculean display when his side needed him most, to set the tone for the Quins forwards to comprehensively trump the vaunted Tigers pack.

Taking their cue from their teammate in the No 7 shirt, George Robson, Joe Marler and Nick Easter were similarly to the fore.

So often this season, Robshaw has offered a formidable workload for club and country, but he has not always dominated proceedings.

This time, he bestrode the whole occasion and it signified a perfect finale to an extraordinary season for the flanker, which had begun with missing out on World Cup selection.

For Tom Williams, the turn-around was even more emphatic.

He was a central figure in the Bloodgate controversy three years ago and it appeared that his stained career would drift into oblivion.

Instead, he has worked his way back into form and favour, and on Saturday his determination was rewarded as he scored the first of his side's two tries.

Level-pegging: Steve Mafi restored parity with a breakaway try

'That was the lowest point of my career but this is the highest,' said the wing.

'I am just concerned with now and the future. The blood thing is history - dead and buried.'

It was not just Williams who was affected by the unsavoury saga in 2009, the whole club was dragged down, so what happened on Saturday illustrated a collective recovery.

Quins' Kiwi fly-half Nick Evans was another who had come through that difficult process and he said: 'As far as we are concerned, it's gone. It was a tough time, and the club basically imploded, but no-one jumped ship. The core of the group stayed the same and Conor has re-galvanised us.

'We are champions. We are no longer the Quins who are the underdogs and might pick up a win away from home here or there. We are going to be expected to win games on a regular basis, and that will mean a different kind of mental approach for us.'

O'Shea was at pains to emphasise that this success should represent the beginning of a period when Quins are repeat contenders and winners, and England wing Ugo Monye echoed that point, describing the Premiership prize as 'another chapter in this new era of rugby at Harlequins'.

On a personal note, it was a stepping stone for him to reinvigorate his Test career.

Robshaw went over for Quins' second try just before the hour as his side established a 30-13 lead, aided in part by Thomas Waldrom's yellow card.

Picture perfect: Twickenham looked resplendent in the May sunshine

Leicester, so often on the back foot, had struck out of nowhere with a first-half try by Steve Mafi, and when Ben Youngs' quick tap penalty paved the way for Anthony Allen to score by the posts, they looked ready to make light of errors to force the final into extra time.

It wasn't to be and the end result was entirely fitting.

So many of the leading Quins will now leave for South Africa with England, riding the crest of the wave.